Miss Bora Bora 2015

The election of Miss Bora Bora is always eagerly awaited & this year was no exception. A large & enthusiastic crowd was on hand filling to capacity the massive white marquee which sits at water’s edge in Bora Bora’s principal village of Vaitape.

This was an interesting year in that not only was the 39th crowning of Miss Bora Bora but also the first for Taure’a Bora Bora (Mister Bora Bora). Seven beauties would compete to be crowned Miss Bora Bora & a further six young men for the title of Taure’a Bora Bora.

The theme for this year’s pageant was ‘The Bounty’ in recognition of the role played in the promotion of Bora Bora by Marlon Brando’s wife Tarita who starred with Brando in ‘Mutiny On The Bounty’ & herself came from the Bora Bora district of Anau. Another Bora Bora resident, Myriama Prokop, about whom a separate article appears on this site, was also in ‘Mutiny on the Bounty’ & indeed was elected Miss Tiurai some years later.

The bikini run always gets the greatest applause:

As custom dictates a passage wearing attire fashioned from local natural fibres was the order of the day:

Here are the winners followed by a photo of the crowning of Miss Bora Bora, the runner-up & Miss Heiva:

This is a an event with a rich historical & cultural tradition. It is an event followed with great enthusiasm not only by locals but also by tourists in an island where tourism is the economic motor.

Miss Bora Bora merits greater attention from all those responsible for its well-being. Not only should the event be conducted in its own right & not as a mechanism to raise funds for another separate event, but also candidates should be selected from throughout Bora Bora well in advance of the pageant; full & proper training should be provided to candidates; passages must follow tradition – traditional attire, proper bikinis, & night-gowns; the theme should be based on the relevance of the pageant itself; the conduct of the event should coincide with the opportunity to compete in Miss Tahiti ……….

Marama is a masterful choreographer & candidates gave of their best & will well represent the world’s most beautiful island, but the event deserves far more from organisers.